Engine frame



,May 25 1937 H. KHLER I 2,081,543

ENGINE FRAME JL f (n #ill H. KHLER ENGINE FRAME Filed Jan. 16, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- Patented May 25, 1937 UNITED STATESr PATENT OFFICE ENGINE Heinrich Khler, Augsburg, Germany, assigner to Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Numberg A. G., Augsburg, Germany, a corporation of Germany Application January 1s, 1933, serial No. ssaooz In Germany January 20, 1932 11 Claims.

One object of the invention is the provision' 5 o1' a frame forA a Diesel engine or the like, oi' unusual lightness but of great strength and incorporating a number of readily formed constituent parts welded together into an integral rigid strucure.

) Another object of the invention is the provision of a frame ci the character mentioned, having a-series `oi spaced uprights integrally connected to' upper and lower longitudinally extending plates which are both provided with openings l adapted for the reception of the engine cylinders.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. in which,-

Flg. 1 is a side elevation, partly in central section, showing a frame structure embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a. top plan view of the-frame, portions of which are removed for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line 1 4 of Fig. 2, showing the cylinder with piston and the drive of the fuel-pump.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by reference letters, the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated is a multi-cylinder engine irameior a large size Diesel engine or the like, having a row of stationary cylinders arranged in line. The frame is constructed as a box formation of exceptional lightness, and comprises spaced rows of hollow uprights d arranged in pairs one laterallyopposlte another. These uprights are preferably of hollow cylindrical form and are constructed of wrought .iron or steel.

Integrally welded to all of the uprights are upper and lower longitudinally extending horizontal plates a and b, also formed of wrought iron or steel. 'I'he upper plate a rests upon the upper ends of the various uprights d, while the plateb is attached to the uprights at a suitable distance above the lower ends thereof, both plates having openings n adapted to receive and center engine cylinders o, which may readily be inserted from above and suitably supported on and attached to the upper plate a.

Extending between opposed uprights are transverse plates e of sheet metal such as rolled steel, which are welded along their extended lines of 5g contact with the uprights and .also welded to the upper and lower plates a and b. An additional series oi laterally extending vertical steel plates f are provided below the plate b and between opposed uprights, the plates f being welded to the uprights and to the lower side of the plate b. 5 'I'he sides oi' the frame are preferably enclosed by longitudinally extending vertical steel plates .or sheets m which are welded to plates a and b and also to the uprights.

The arrangement just described permits the 10 ready manufacture of the various constituent parts of the frame, which can be made with openings of the propersize and in the correct loca- ,tions before the parts are assembled. The parts are built into a rigid integral structure by welding them together along their lines of contact. After they have been assembled only ilnishing operationsare required. The structure is very strong in a crosswise direction as well as in a longitudinal direction due to thewelded plate i arrangement mentioned and also by reason of the ,20

cylinders themselves when they are added. Ihe

out Vsubstantial stress in the various welds, as the uprights extend through holes inthe plate b 30 and into sockets in plate a sothe welded connections between these plates and they uprights merely serve to locate the plates on the uprights for effectively rigidiiying the structure laterally against forces caused by vibration. The rigid 35 bridges h together with the plates f and e rigidly interconnect the various parts in such a way asto prevent any relative movement of the uprights and provide a structure that electlvely resists lateral strains. The lower ends of the up- 40 rights are received in the upper ends of the bridges h thus preventing any relative lateral movement, The'tie rods passing through the holes in the bridges h and plates c1 and c2 prevent all relative lateral movement between those parts. 'I'he up- 45 rights d being of strong and, sturdy construction and extending as they do from the plate a down to the bridges h are Vadapted to assume a very substantial part of the compressive forces between the cylinder heads 0J rand the crankshaft 50 bearings p created by gravity and by the initially tensioned tie rods q, lso that excessive stressing of the various welds does not take place. -These compressive forces ci course act in the direction of the length of the uprights d and can be transmitted from one end of the uprights to the other without substantially stressing the various welds between the uprights and the various plates.

'Ihe combined cylinder .supporting structure embodying the uprights, upper and lower plates a provides the necessary strength in vertical as well as lateral directions. The various bridges h `rest upon two laterally spaced horizontally arranged base plates c1 ando, to which they are secured by welds. 'I'he base plates c1 and c2 provide the required longitudinal rigidity for the base structure.

The upper cylinder supporting portion of the frame is securely attached to the lower or base v frame structure by means of the welds referred to, and also by means of tie rods q which extend through the hollow uprights d and through bores provided in the bridges h, and also throughv holes in the plates a, c1 and o. These tie rods pass through the cylinder head structure and through the crankshaft support or bearings, holding the latter securely against the baseplates c1 and c2.

The tie rods are placed under sufiicient initial tension to relieve the frame from tension forces tending to pull the frame apart even when the ycombustion pressure in the 'cylinders are of maximum values. 'Ihe welds between parts a and d and between parts d and h,a`nd'c1, c2 and h therefore do not assume tensions forces. 'I'hese lvarious parts restfirmly one upon the other so it will be obvious that the welds which secure one part toancther do not need to assume either compression or tension forces of substantial values. J

Projecting laterally beyond a row of uprights, at one side of the engine frame is a horizontally extending plate' portion b1 having openings :i1 and i* provided at suitable points, .this plate portion being welded to the various uprights adjacent thereto and preferably forming a lateral extension ofI the plate b. Laterally extending steel plates k are provided below the plate b1 and on the outer side of the uprights, being welded to the loweiside of the plate b1 and to the parts d, h, and c1. The plates b1 and k together with the outside plate k1 constitute suitable housing walls for the support of the fuel pumps r and valve guides s which are located and centered by openings :i in the plate portion b1 .and for the support of the cam shaft by means of the openings i provided in the plates k. The holes il are for .the valve actuating rods s and the holes :i2 are for the fuel pumps. At the opposite side of the structure are laterally extending plates l welded to the parts d and h and to an outwardly and downwardly inclined side plate ll which reaches along the outer side of the engine frame and which is welded to plate c1 and to the plate b. It will lbe-apparentthat the frame may be readily constructed of preformed elements, all of very simple construction and readily made, the various elements being then assembled together by welding into a single,v integral, rigid, strong construction. All the welds however are so arranged that they will not be highly stressed, during engine operation.

' lWhile the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment 9i 17h? invention, it-is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thisprecise form of apparatus, and thatV changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is dened in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An engine liframe comprising spaced rows of uprights arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, relatively spaced upper and lower longitudinally extending horizontal plates welded to-'said uprights and provided with holes adapted for the location of engine cylinders, a pair of laterally spaced horizontal base plates provided a distance below said uprights, supporting members each welded to and supported by said base plates and supporting and welded to the lower ends of opposed uprights, and tension rods securing said base plates, supporting members, uprights and upper plate together.

2. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of hollow uprights adapted for the reception of tension rods and arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, relatively spaced upper and lower longitudinally extending horizontal plates welded to said uprights and provided with holes adapted for the location of engine cylinders, 'a transversely extending bridge member supporting and interiltting' with each pair of opposing uprights,'laterally spaced longitudinal base plates each supporting and welded to one side of each through each upright and securing the base plates, bridge members, uprights and upper plate together.'

3. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of uprights arranged one laterally opposite another, relatively spaced upper and lower longitudinally extending plates welded to all of said uprights, the upper plate resting upon the upper ends of the uprights and having openings for the reception of engine cylinders, a pair of laterally spaced horizontal base plates provided a distance below said uprights, a transversely extending bridge member supporting each pair of uprights and supported on and welded to the base plates, and a tension rod for each upright securing the base plates, bridge members, uprights and upper plate together.

4. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of hollow uprights adapted for lthe reception of tensionv rods and arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, relatively spaced4 upper and lower longitudinal horizontal plates welded to all of said uprights and having holes adapted for the receptionv of engine cylinders. the said upper plate resting upon the top ends of the uprights, supporting means supporting the lower ends of .the uprights and intertting therewith and another, relatively spaced upper' and lower longitudinal horizontal plates welded to all of said uprights and having holes adapted forthe reception of engine cylinders, the upper and lower 4 plates` having portions interfitting and surroundling each upright and serving independently of their welded connections to the uprights to' interbra'ce the uprights against movement in'all directions transverse to the longitudinal axes of the uprights, a series of vertical laterally exbridge member, and tension rods one extendingV l tending plates welded to and interconnecting opposed uprights and said upper andlower plates, and an additional series of vertical transverse plates welded to said uprights and to the lower side of said lower plate.

6. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of uprights arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, relatively spaced upper and lower longitudinal horizontal plates welded to all of said uprights and having holes adapted for the reception of engine cylinders, a series of vertical laterally extending plates welded to and interconnecting opposed uprights and said upper and lower plates, and an additional series of vertical transvers plates welded to said uprights and to the lower side of said lower plate, means supporting the lower ends of each pair of uprights and welded thereto, and laterally spaced longitudinally extending base plates on which said supporting means are welded.

'7. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of uprights arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, relatively spaced upper and lower longitudinal horizontal plates welded to all of said uprights and having holes adapted for the reception of engine cylinders, supporting means supporting the lower ends of said uprights and welded thereto, a longitudinally extending plate projecting outwardly fromand welded to a row of uprights and having a series of openings, and vertical laterally extending plates welded to said projecting plate, said projecting plate and vertical` plates having openings for locating the fuel pumps and valve guides.

8. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of uprights arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, an upper longitudinally extending horirights, a second longitudinally extending horizontal plate having holes receiving said uprights,

a series of transversely extending bridge members each receiving the lower ends of opposing uprights, laterally spaced longitudinal base plates each supporting and welded to one side of each bridge member, and tension rods extending through said uprights, bridge members and base plates.

9.` An engine frame comprising spaced rows of hollow uprights arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, an upper longitudinally extending horizontal plate receiving the upper ends of the uprights, a second longitudinally extending horizontal platehaving holes receiving said uprights, said upper and second plate having holes adapted for the reception and location of engine cylinders, a series of transversely extending bridge members each receiving the lower ends of opposing uprights, laterally spaced longitudinal base plates each supporting and welded to one side of each bridge member, tension rods extending through said upper plate, uprights, bridge members and base plates, and welded connections between said uprights and said upper and second horizontal plates and between said uprights and bridge members.

10. A frame for an engine of the character described, comprising a series of uprights spaced apart both longitudinally and laterally of the frame and arranged oppositely in two adjacent rows, laterally vextending vertical thin slieets or plates welded throughout their lengths to oprosed uprights, an upper longitudinally and horizontally extending plate receiving the upper ends of the'uprights and resting thereon and welded thereto, a second longitudinally extending horizontal plate having holes intertting with and receiving said uprights and welded thereto, said upper and second plates having holes adapted for the reception and location of engine cylinders, the various plates and uprights constituting a single integral structure of lightweight in which all normal vertical compression 'forces are assumed by the uprights, a series of transversely extending bridge members each intertting with and receiving the lower ends of laterally opposed uprights, laterally spaced longitudinal base plates each supporting one side of said bridge member, and tension rods extending through said uprights, bridge members, base plates and upper plate and securing said mentioned parts together independently of' their welded connections.

11. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of uprights arranged in pairsgone laterally opposite another, an upper longitudinally extending horizontal plate resting thereon and receiving the' upper ends of the uprights, a second longitudinally extending horizontal plate having holes receiving said uprights, the upper and lower plates having portions interfltting and surrounding each upright and serving independently of their Welded connections to the uprights to interhrace the uprights against movement in all directions transverse to the longitudinal axes vof the uprights, a series of transversely extending bridge members each interfltting with and receiving the lower ends of a'pair of opposed uprights, laterally spaced longitudinal base plates each supporting one side of each bridge member and tension rms extending through said uprights, vbridge members, base plates and upper plate and securing the sa e together, the rods having an interfitting engagement with the bridge members and with the base platesand serving to definitely position the bridge members with re-l spect to the base plates by reason of such interfitting engagement.

' HEINRICH KOHLER.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,081,543.

yHEINRICH KHLER May 25, 1937.

It is hereby certified that error appears inthe printed s ecication of theabove numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,

rst column, line 65, for

"cw read c2; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinL that the same may conform to the record of the case in "the Patent Oiiice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of July, A. D. 1937. v

'[sEAL] HENRY VAN ARSDALE, Acting Commissioner bf Patents.

tending plates welded to and interconnecting opposed uprights and said upper andlower plates, and an additional series of vertical transverse plates welded to said uprights and to the lower side of said lower plate.

6. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of uprights arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, relatively spaced upper and lower longitudinal horizontal plates welded to all of said uprights and having holes adapted for the reception of engine cylinders, a series of vertical laterally extending plates welded to and interconnecting opposed uprights and said upper and lower plates, and an additional series of vertical transvers plates welded to said uprights and to the lower side of said lower plate, means supporting the lower ends of each pair of uprights and welded thereto, and laterally spaced longitudinally extending base plates on which said supporting means are welded.

'7. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of uprights arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, relatively spaced upper and lower longitudinal horizontal plates welded to all of said uprights and having holes adapted for the reception of engine cylinders, supporting means supporting the lower ends of said uprights and welded thereto, a longitudinally extending plate projecting outwardly fromand welded to a row of uprights and having a series of openings, and vertical laterally extending plates welded to said projecting plate, said projecting plate and vertical` plates having openings for locating the fuel pumps and valve guides.

8. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of uprights arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, an upper longitudinally extending horirights, a second longitudinally extending horizontal plate having holes receiving said uprights,

a series of transversely extending bridge members each receiving the lower ends of opposing uprights, laterally spaced longitudinal base plates each supporting and welded to one side of each bridge member, and tension rods extending through said uprights, bridge members and base plates.

9.` An engine frame comprising spaced rows of hollow uprights arranged in pairs one laterally opposite another, an upper longitudinally extending horizontal plate receiving the upper ends of the uprights, a second longitudinally extending horizontal platehaving holes receiving said uprights, said upper and second plate having holes adapted for the reception and location of engine cylinders, a series of transversely extending bridge members each receiving the lower ends of opposing uprights, laterally spaced longitudinal base plates each supporting and welded to one side of each bridge member, tension rods extending through said upper plate, uprights, bridge members and base plates, and welded connections between said uprights and said upper and second horizontal plates and between said uprights and bridge members.

10. A frame for an engine of the character described, comprising a series of uprights spaced apart both longitudinally and laterally of the frame and arranged oppositely in two adjacent rows, laterally vextending vertical thin slieets or plates welded throughout their lengths to oprosed uprights, an upper longitudinally and horizontally extending plate receiving the upper ends of the'uprights and resting thereon and welded thereto, a second longitudinally extending horizontal plate having holes intertting with and receiving said uprights and welded thereto, said upper and second plates having holes adapted for the reception and location of engine cylinders, the various plates and uprights constituting a single integral structure of lightweight in which all normal vertical compression 'forces are assumed by the uprights, a series of transversely extending bridge members each intertting with and receiving the lower ends of laterally opposed uprights, laterally spaced longitudinal base plates each supporting one side of said bridge member, and tension rods extending through said uprights, bridge members, base plates and upper plate and securing said mentioned parts together independently of' their welded connections.

11. An engine frame comprising spaced rows of uprights arranged in pairsgone laterally opposite another, an upper longitudinally extending horizontal plate resting thereon and receiving the' upper ends of the uprights, a second longitudinally extending horizontal plate having holes receiving said uprights, the upper and lower plates having portions interfltting and surrounding each upright and serving independently of their Welded connections to the uprights to interhrace the uprights against movement in all directions transverse to the longitudinal axes vof the uprights, a series of transversely extending bridge members each interfltting with and receiving the lower ends of a'pair of opposed uprights, laterally spaced longitudinal base plates each supporting one side of each bridge member and tension rms extending through said uprights, vbridge members, base plates and upper plate and securing the sa e together, the rods having an interfitting engagement with the bridge members and with the base platesand serving to definitely position the bridge members with re-l spect to the base plates by reason of such interfitting engagement.

' HEINRICH KOHLER.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,081,543.

yHEINRICH KHLER May 25, 1937.

It is hereby certified that error appears inthe printed s ecication of theabove numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,

rst column, line 65, for

"cw read c2; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinL that the same may conform to the record of the case in "the Patent Oiiice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of July, A. D. 1937. v

'[sEAL] HENRY VAN ARSDALE, Acting Commissioner bf Patents. 

